The first two days have gone extremely well.  We are excited to be back with the students!  The teachers and I are ecstatic to hear the voices of our students filling our school and classrooms. The school building is alive again, and there is so much joy!  We want to keep this going, and we appreciate each day we have with the children.

In order for us to continue on this path, we need everyone to continue to do their part to help ensure our first priority goal - to keep everyone safe. We will continue to focus on this goal as the year progresses.  

• School Masses:  Currently, we are not able to hold School Masses until November 1st.  Bringing the student body as a whole or splitting them was not feasible given our safety focus and cleaning protocols that would have to occur after every Mass to protect everyone.  We will reevaluate this in the weeks ahead
• School Goals:  Our school goals were developed by our school staff and me at our Teacher Meetings last week.  They are created so we can continue to thrive in all three areas:  Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, and School Vitality.
  • Catholic Identity - Provide a strong support system for our students that focuses on social-emotional development under new learning conditions to grow in their Catholic faith.To strengthen student understanding and awareness of social justice and equity issues in our society.
  • Academic Excellence- Increase student writing proficiency utilizing various learning strategies.
  • School Vitality - Ensure the Health and Safety of all of our students and staff.Effectively use technology and learning management systems to provide a consistent framework for teaching and measuring student outcomes for all learners.
• SMA Ventilation System:  Please see the below information related to our ventilation system at St. Monica Academy that allows for fresh air to enter the school building.We have air handlers that pump fresh air into the school and help with air ventilation in the building.
  • The air handlers are operating and result in the following:
    • Ventilating the school with 43,170 cubic feet per minute of outside air.
    • Exhausting 33,590 cubic feet of air per minute from the school to the outside. 
    • This results in approximately 179 cubic feet per minute per person of outside air in the school building.  This far exceeds the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommended standards.The air handlers filter and begin the cooling or heating (depending on the season) of the outside air before it is sent into the school's HVAC system.
    • The air handlers will be running while the school is occupied.  We will also implement a pre and post flushing strategy.  The goal is to flush the building for a duration sufficient to reduce concentration of airborne infectious particles by 95%.  This will be accomplished by running the air handlers 2 hours before occupancy of the building and 2 hours after dismissal. 
    • The HVAC system at SMA blows the air vertically from ceiling to floor which reduces the spread of contaminated air within the room.  This is in line with ASHRAE recommendations.
• Parish Religious Education Program Update:  Parish R.E. classes will not be held in classrooms used by the school.  The spaces they will use for this school year are the following:  Beyenka Hall, Church, Church Foyer, Rzany Hall, and Special Classrooms that are not currently being used by the school, as well as one vacant unused classroom.  The R.E. program has reduced their meeting times to one time per month on a Saturday.  Sacramental classes in 2nd grade (First Communion) and 8th grade (Confirmation) will meet twice per month.  They will not use any classrooms used by the school.  Classrooms and bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized including door knobs, light switches, desks, and chairs after each class.  The R.E. staff and our cleaning service will clean and disinfect  these areas after each use.

I will keep you informed of all details, but please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Ray Coleman, Principal

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